Akwa Ibom @ 25

On this day 25 years ago, what we know now as Akwa Ibom state came into being.’Akwa Ibomites’ are celebrating both home and abroad especially on social media, including me.
While rejoicing and feeling a sense of pride and belonging, I reflected on what I know about the state and really tried to examine how far the state has come at least from what I know.
Needless to say, the state has come a long way.
Anyone who visits Uyo today will be in awe of the transformations that have taken place- compared to four years ago. Good road, an airport, e library to name a few. Many of these developments can be attributed to Godswill Akpabio, the present governor of the state.
But while we celebrate, let us not forget that this state still has a long way to go.
Good roads, a good library etc are not enough reason to ignore the evil also going in the state. Many of us deliberately refuse to acknowledge the evil(s) going on in the state for reasons best known to ourselves.

One of the evils that intrigues me is how a common citizen cannot even get justice. Many of us are aware of the recent court case filed by Frank Okon against the election of Godswill Akpabio. The court asserted that Frank Okon had no locus standi to sue Akpabio and furthermore, the court has no jurisdiction over the matter. Did the court just realise this? Why allow the case to drag on if the court has no jurisdiction anyway. I am no lawyer but this made no sense to me.

Furthermore, we are not ashamed to praise a governor with so much blood on his hands. We’ll much rather say “at least he is building roads” or “who has clean hands?”. Many assassinations and kidnaps have been associated with Akpabio’s regime, some of which are: Madam Philomena Udonwa; Chief Paul Inyang; 3 brothers from Nkari namely: Charles, Joseph and Emmanuel; Miss Faith Udo and a host of others. In fact before her death, Christy Essien Igbokwe commented on how Akpabio’s government had continuously eliminated and kidnapped members of her family. It is a shame that people do not speak up when they should because they want to be favoured by the government.
I urge us all not to keep silent in the face of evil. And while we celebrate, let us remember that we still have a long way to go and we all must join forces to rid Akwa Ibom state of evil governance!!!.

Crises of Capitalism!!!

Someone sent me this video and I found it really interesting and truthful too. Just wanted to know what everyone else thinks about what the guy is saying. One remarkable thing he said is that ‘capitalism never solves its own crises, it moves them around geographically’. Very interesting!!!!! If you watch it, tell me what you think!!! Cheers.

IBB vs ABACHA

I am presently reading a very insightful book titled “This House Has Fallen: Nigeria in Crisis” by Karl Maier; I came across a quote I found pretty interesting in this book and I just want to sample public opinion.
Here is the quote:

“I think Babangida was even worse than Abacha. Babangida went all out to corrupt society. Abacha was intimidating people with fear. With him gone now, you can recover. But this corruption remains, and it is very corrosive to society”.
—- M.D Yusufu (Former Inspector General of Police).

Drop a comment explaining why you agree or disagree. Thank you!!!

WHY ARE WE NOT FARMING?

Just last week, a family friend and I had a conversation about how Nigerians are so determined to enjoy ‘oil money’ and have forgotten about agriculture.
Today I read that Governor Ahmed of Kwara said Nigeria cannot move forward without agriculture…I totally agree.
The problem lies in drafting sensible agricultural policies that trickle down to the grassroots in order to create wealth and most importantly, food security. Let’s not forget that going back to agriculture will create employment for thousands.
Maybe states could map out agricultural policies and encourage commercial farming if the federal government is not ready to do so. After all, we practice federalism right?

FRESH CASES OF POLIO- NORTHERN NIGERIA

Sokoto state has recently been identified as having the highest number of polio cases in the country. Seven local governments in the state are high risk in terms of thr polio virus according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Its a little frustrating to hear that polio is even a disease we talk about in this day and age when it can be eradicated. Northern governors need to take health a little more seriously, and yes I said Northern governors. Majority of the polio cases have been reported in the north.
According to AllAfrica, some parents still reject polio vaccinations for their kids and in reaction to this, immunisation officials in Kebbi state have threatened to arrest parents who do not let their children receive the polio vaccine. Nice move, if you ask me!

MY OBSESSION WITH AFICAN FABRIC…

Once upon a time, I used to look down on people who constantly wore clothes made of African fabric. Feel very free to call me stupid.
The obsession many of us have with western products sometimes makes us forget that we need to support and promote African culture.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very much fond of the western trend but these days the African trend has become more appealing to me than ever before.
Kudos to designers who showcase African fashion.
I just found out Balogun market is very close to my office- closer than I ever imagined; so, my new bad habit is going there during breaks to buy African fabrics…and NO!!!!!!!! I’m not kidding…just don’t mention this to my boss.

THE CASE OF FAKE MALARIA DRUGS…

It is a bit sad that while the ‘health community’ is seriously trying to fight malaria, we are taken a few steps back by producers of fake drugs and low quality drugs especially in Africa and Asia.
According to a research by Fogarty International Centre, 1500 samples of seven different malaria drugs in seven South East Asian countries showed that fake and low quality drugs are the causes of treatment failure and drug resistance.
Similar results were found in 21 sub-Saharan African countries.
This really should serve as a wake up call for the government and various stakeholders involved in the fight against malaria.

{source: BBC News}

DEPOSING LONG SERVING AFRICAN PRESIDENTS- WHO IS NEXT IN LINE?

Interesting article I stumbled upon on Reuters about long serving African leaders and how they will leave office. This is very interesting because this year alone, three long serving African rulers have been dethroned (remember this is just the 5th month of the year).
The seven remaining long serving African leaders are:
Teodoro Obiang Nguema – Equatorial Guinea
Jose Santos – Angola
Robert Mugabe- Zimbabwe
Paul Biya- Cameroon
Yoweri Museveni- Uganda
King Mswati III- Swaziland
Blaise Campore – Burkina Faso
The first two listed presidents have served the longest, 32 years followed by Mugabe who has served 31 years; Biya has been in power for 29 years, Museveni for 25; mswati and Campore for 24 years.
What bothers me really, is what factors determine whether or not they will be ousted from their current positions. Is the issue serving for too long, or being undemocratic? Then again, is there any good democracy in Africa that one could use as an example of good governance? (Ghana immediately came to my mind).
Despite Museveni’s ‘addiction’ (for lack of a better word) to power, Uganda had enjoyed favours from western countries as opposed to Libya for instance when Gadaffi was still in power.
So is the issue democracy, holding on to power for too long or allying with the West? Or does the need for change come from within, like the Arab spring and if yes, don’t many democratic African countries demand change on a daily basis? Would western intervention (like in Libya and Tunisia) happen in take place in these so called democratic countries?
Who will be dethroned next and why?
These are the questions that bother me…

BEWARE OF THE RICH MAN’s DISEASE…

I was scheming through the WHO report for this year and I was happy to see that they laid emphasis on obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension especially in third world countries.
We have always known these non communicable diseases as diseases that mostly affect the developed nations because of their diet. Well guess what? Since we are beginning to enjoy the ‘white man’s food’ more and more, we are also falling victim to these diseases. It is interesting seeing as we are still trying to battle other diseases that claim lives in thousands hundreds.
The WHO report says that nearly eighty percent of deaths from these diseases now occur in poor countries; in some countries in Africa, between 40-50 percent of the population have high blood pressure.
These diseases are very avoidable, we just need to be a little more responsible. Remember health is wealth!!!!!

LAGOS AIDS WALK 2012

The Lagos AIDS walk took place on Saturday, 21st April! I was a volunteer and so proud to be a part of this event.
Kenneth Kaunda did not show up like i expected but he sent a representative…fair enough!!!
I did not take too many pictures as I was deeply engrossed in the event. The turn out was awesome and it was fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were creating awareness about HIV/AIDS- saying NO to stigma and discrimination.

RED CROSS MOTHERLESS/ABANDONED BABIES HOME VISIT- PICTURES

on the 19th of April, my NYSC CD group (Red Cross) paid a visit to the motherless/abandoned babies home maintained by the Nigerian Red Cross in Makoko, Lagos.
It was the best experience ever. I fell in love with the kids…I’ll definitely go back there, Maybe on my birthday which is coming up pretty soon!!!!
The oldest kid there is about 10 years old. Some of the kids get adopted by promising families, There’s a school there for the kids.
They are short staffed and require volunteers. So, if you want to get your good on, you know where to go.